Case Studies in Real-Time Hydrological Forecasting From the UK

Abstract

The developments which have taken place in the fields of electronic engineering and hydrological modelling over the past decade are now generating considerable operational benefits in the areas of flood warning, reservoir management and pollution control. On-line monitoring of rainfall, flow and water quality variables can now be achieved with reliable instrumentation and telemetry at modest cost: ever increasing advances in the performance of on-line monitoring schemes are being achieved through the exploitation of microprocessor technology. Dedicated low-cost microcomputers can be programmed to control telemetry schemes automatically while also providing the necessary computing power to run real-time flow and water quality forecasting models. Thus the capacity of the water engineer to respond efficiently and effectively to emergency situations created by flood or pollution events has been greatly enhanced. As more operational experience with this new technology is acquired, it is important that case studies are reported in the literature (and particularly presented in post-experience courses) to assist the practising engineer in choosing the instrumentation, telemetry, computer, and forecasting models appropriate for his particular problem.